10 Best Free Drawing Software for PC & Mobile in 2026

×Drivers · Free Tool

Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?

×

Do these 3 things before closing this tab:

1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.

Find the Right Drivers →Free scan · under a minute

#	Preview	Product	Price
1		Wacom Intuos Small, Wired Graphic Drawing Tablet with Pen + Software	$39.95	Buy on Amazon
2		XPPen Deco 01 V3 10x6 Drawing Tablet, 16K Battery-Free Stylus, 8 Keys	$45.00	Buy on Amazon
3		HUION Inspiroy H640P 6x4 inch Drawing Tablet 8192 Pen Pressure	$27.99	Buy on Amazon
4		4 Pack LCD Writing Tablet for Kids, 8.5 Inch Colorful Doodle Board Drawing Tablet, Educational...	$9.99	Buy on Amazon
5		XPPen Artist 13.3 Pro V2 Drawing Tablet with Screen, 16K, Full-Laminated	$190.62	Buy on Amazon

Clean & speed up →Update all drivers →

ThatPainter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More

There is no single best free drawing app for every device. For serious desktop painting, choose Krita. For mobile illustration, ibisPaint X is the strongest fit. Beginners may prefer Sketchbook, while comic artists should look at MediBang Paint.

#1 Best Overall

Wacom Intuos Small, Wired Graphic Drawing Tablet with Pen + Software

• Wacom Intuos Small Graphics Drawing Tablet: Enjoy industry leading tablet performance in superior control and precision with Wacom's EMR, battery free technology that feels like pen on paper
• Works With All Software: Wacom Intuos tablet can be used in any software program to explore new facets of digital creativity; draw, paint, edit photos/videos, create designs, and mark up documents
• What the Professionals Use: Wacom's industry leading pen technology and pen to paper feeling makes it the preferred drawing tablet of professional graphic designers
• Software and Training Included: Only Wacom gives you software with every purchase. Register your Intuos tablet and gain access to some of the best creative software and Wacom's online training
• Wacom is the Global Leader in Drawing Tablet and Displays: For over 40 years in pen display and tablet market, you can trust that Wacom to help you bring your vision, ideas and creativity to life

$39.95

Buy on Amazon

This guide separates genuinely free and open-source programs from ad-supported apps, free demos, and software with paid features. Platform support and pricing can change, so check the linked official page before downloading.

Quick comparison

“Full app” means the software is available for that platform; it does not promise identical features, pricing, or file compatibility across editions.

What “free” means here

• Free and open source: No subscription is required, and the source code is available under an open-source license. Krita, GIMP, MyPaint and Inkscape fit this category.
• Free download: The basic program costs nothing, but some tools or services may be paid.
• Ad-supported: You can draw without paying, but advertisements appear in the app.
• Free demo: The software installs free but imposes meaningful time or feature limits.
• Platform-dependent: A mobile edition may be free while the desktop edition is paid, limited or separately licensed.

1. Krita — best overall for desktop digital painting

Best for: Illustration, concept art, animation, comics and serious digital painting.

Krita is the best overall choice if you mainly draw on Windows, macOS, Linux or an Android tablet. It is free and open source, with layers, customizable brushes, drawing assistants, stabilizers and animation tools. Its interface is more capable than beginner-oriented sketching apps, but that also makes it less immediately simple.

Krita does not support iPhone or iPad. Its official download information lists Windows, macOS, Linux and Android ARM64 builds. The published minimums include 4 GB of RAM and graphics support such as OpenGL 3.0 or Direct3D 11; larger canvases and many layers need considerably more memory. Treat vendor minimums as installation requirements, not a guarantee of smooth performance.

Tablet support: It is suitable for pressure-sensitive pen tablets and pen displays when the operating system and tablet driver are configured correctly. On Windows, check the tablet manufacturer’s driver and Windows Ink settings if pressure is missing.

File workflow: Krita is strongest as a desktop painting studio. Export formats and PSD compatibility make it practical for moving artwork between applications, but no cross-application format preserves every layer effect perfectly.

Choose it if: You want the most capable unrestricted free painting application on a computer.

Skip it if: You need iPhone/iPad support or want the simplest possible mobile interface.

Download Krita from its official page. Release numbers change; official pages surfaced Krita 5.3.3 on July 29, 2026, while another official page showed an older 5.3.2.1 listing.

2. Sketchbook — best for beginners and clean sketching

Best for: Beginners, quick sketches, classroom use and artists who dislike cluttered interfaces.

Sketchbook has a clean, approachable workflow and broad coverage across Windows, macOS, iOS/iPadOS and Android. Its default tools make it easy to start sketching without first learning a professional studio’s complex layout.

Do not assume every edition is free. Sketchbook has separate desktop and mobile releases, and their licensing and feature availability can differ. Confirm the current store terms for your operating system before installing.

Rank #2

Sale

XPPen Deco 01 V3 10x6 Drawing Tablet, 16K Battery-Free Stylus, 8 Keys

• Word-first 16K Pressure Levels: The upgraded stylus features 16,384 levels of pressure sensitivity and supports up to 60 degrees of tilt, delivering smoother lines and shading for a natural drawing experience. With no battery or charging needed, it operates like a real pen, making it easy for beginners to create effortlessly. This functionality helps novice artists develop their skills and explore their creativity without the intimidation of complex tools
• Designed for Beginners: This drawing pad desinged with 8 customizable shortcuts for both right and left-hand users, express keys create a highly ergonomic and convenient work platform
• Perfectly Adapted for Android: The XPPen Deco 01 V3 art tablet supports connections with Android devices running version 10.0 and above. It is recommended to download the XPPen Tools Android application, which adapts to your smartphone's screen aspect ratio, ensuring accurate mapping. It also supports mapping on Android screens with different aspect ratios in portrait mode
• Large Drawing Space, Bigger Bold Inspiration: This expansive drawing pad has10 x 6.25-inch helps you break through the limit between shortcut keys and drawing area
• Easy Connectivity for Beginners: The Deco 01 V3 offers USB-C to USB-C connectivity, plus adapters for USB C. This ensures easy connection to various devices, allowing beginner artists to set up quickly and focus on their creativity without compatibility concerns. Whether using a laptop, tablet, or desktop, the Deco 01 V3 provides a seamless experience, making it an ideal choice for those just starting their digital art journey

$45.00

Buy on Amazon

Tablet support: The Windows requirements list Windows Ink for stylus pressure sensitivity. On Android, the official requirements page identifies supported styluses such as Samsung S Pen and the Wacom Pro Pen 3 for Wacom MovinkPad devices, but says peripheral drawing tablets are not supported. Android installation therefore does not mean that a Huion, XP-Pen or Wacom tablet will work with an Android phone or tablet.

The current requirements page lists Windows 10/11, 8 GB RAM and OpenGL 2.0 for Windows, and Android 9 or later for Android. These are published requirements, not performance benchmarks.

Choose it if: You want fast, uncomplicated sketching across desktop and mobile.

Skip it if: You need Linux, advanced comic production or an unrestricted open-source desktop application.

Check Sketchbook’s official requirements.

3. ibisPaint X — best for mobile illustration and manga

Best for: iPhone, iPad and Android artists who want many brushes, materials, filters, fonts and manga-oriented tools.

ibisPaint X is one of the strongest mobile-first choices. It is available on iOS/iPadOS and Android, with Windows and Mac versions also listed by the company. The mobile edition is particularly suited to social-art workflows and drawing on a phone or tablet.

The free mobile tier includes advertising. The official comparison also describes time-limited trials for some tools, paid versions and premium memberships. Ordinary users receive up to 64 MB of cloud storage, compared with up to 20 GB for premium members. The Mac edition has a free demo limited to one hour per day; the page displayed a $57.99 one-time Pro Upgrade and subscriptions of $4.99 per month or $29.99 per year in April 2026. Prices vary by country, store and tax, and Windows terms should be checked separately.

Cross-device workflow: ibisPaint supports synchronization between Windows/Mac and iOS/Android through cloud storage. Use the same account on each device and check that the project has uploaded before deleting a local copy. A flattened PNG is not a substitute for an editable layered project.

Choose it if: You primarily draw on a phone or tablet and want mobile manga tools.

Skip it if: You need a completely unrestricted free desktop app without ads, time limits or cloud-tier restrictions.

See the official mobile comparison and desktop information.

4. MediBang Paint — best for comics and manga

Best for: Comic artists, manga creators and lightweight cross-device projects.

MediBang Paint is available for Windows, macOS, iPhone/iPad and Android. Its desktop product is explicitly aimed at digital painting and comic creation, with comic materials including tones and backgrounds. That makes it a more natural starting point for panels, screentones and manga-style production than a general photo editor.

Rank #3

Sale

HUION Inspiroy H640P 6x4 inch Drawing Tablet 8192 Pen Pressure

• Customize Your Workflow: The 6 customizable press keys on Huion H640P drawing tablet for pc let you assign your most-used commands—like undo, zoom, brush switch, or save—so you can keep your hands on the tablet and your mind on the art. Whether you're a digital painter switching brushes, or a comic artist zooming in and out, these keys keep your workflow smooth and uninterrupted. Plus, the Huion driver lets you save different shortcut profiles for different apps, so you never have to reconfigure when switching software.
• Professional Pen Performance: Huion H640P drawing pad for computer comes with the battery-free PW100 stylus that's always ready when inspiration strikes. With 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity, every light sketch, or bold stroke responds naturally to your hand—just like a real pen. The 5080 LPI resolution and 233 PPS report rate deliver lag-free, precise strokes, so you can draw confidently without second-guessing your cursor. The pen side buttons help you switch between pen and eraser instantly.
• Compact and Portable: Huion H640P computer graphics tablet features a compact, ultra-portable design at just 0.3 inches thin and 0.61 lbs light, so it slides easily into your backpack—perfect for sketching in coffee shops, taking notes in class, or editing on the go between home and studio. The 6x4 inch active area offers enough room for natural pen movements while fitting comfortably on crowded desks, or lecture hall seats.
• Stable Compatibility: Huion H640P graphic drawing tablet works seamlessly with Mac, Windows, Linux PCs, and Android smartphones/tablets (OS version 6.0 or later). Left-handed friendly, and you just need to flip the tablet and adjust the settings in the driver. Please note: H640P does NOT support iPhone/iPad.
• Move Beyond the Mouse: Huion Inspiroy H640P is a pen tablet that replaces your mouse for more natural, precise control. Freehand draw, take notes, or even play OSU—everything you do with a mouse, you can do better with a pen. The precise tip makes it ideal for detailed photo editing, graphic design, or signing PDF. Meanwhile, the ergonomic pen grip helps you avoid the strain that comes from hours of using a mouse.

$27.99

Buy on Amazon

Platform editions may not contain identical tools. Separate the core drawing application from account- or cloud-dependent services, and confirm current premium features before relying on them for a project.

Hardware: The desktop page lists Windows 10 or later and macOS 11 or later, with 100 MB minimum free disk space and 2 GB recommended for the listed desktop configuration. A pressure-sensitive tablet should work through the operating system and its driver, but Android stylus compatibility depends on the specific device.

Choose it if: You need comic materials and want the same broad app family on desktop and mobile.

Skip it if: You need Linux or a fully open-source workflow.

Visit MediBang Paint’s official desktop page and check requirements.

5. GIMP — best for photo editing plus drawing

Best for: Photo retouching, compositing, selections, color work and image-based artwork.

GIMP is a free, open-source image editor for Windows, macOS and GNU/Linux. It can paint, but its center of gravity is image editing and compositing rather than a dedicated illustration workflow. Choose it when photographs, masks, selections, plugins and layered image manipulation matter as much as brushwork.

GIMP 3.2 added non-destructive layers, vector layers through the Path tool, an upgraded MyPaint Brush tool, an Overwrite paint mode and expanded SVG/PDF options. The official site showed GIMP 3.2.4, dated April 17, 2026, but version and plugin compatibility should be checked before upgrading. Older scripts or third-party plugins may not work unchanged in a new major release.

There is no official mainstream iPhone or Android drawing equivalent. GIMP’s downloads page lists Windows installers, macOS DMGs, Linux AppImages, Flatpaks and Snaps.

Choose it if: You want one free desktop program for photos, composites and occasional painting.

Skip it if: Your priority is a brush-centered illustration studio or mobile drawing.

Download GIMP from the official site.

6. Adobe Fresco — best for natural-media brushes and Adobe users

Best for: Artists who like natural-media brush behavior and already use Adobe products.

Adobe Fresco is a freemium option rather than an unrestricted free alternative. It is especially relevant to iPhone/iPad and Windows users, but platform availability, free brushes, cloud-document limits and paid features should be confirmed on Adobe’s current product page.

Rank #4

4 Pack LCD Writing Tablet for Kids, 8.5 Inch Colorful Doodle Board Drawing Tablet, Educational Learning Toys Birthday Gifts for Boys Girls Age 3 4 5 6 7 8

• 4 Pack for More Fun: Apply the newest flexible liquid crystal technology, brighter and clearer than most LCD writing tablet. Take pressure-sensitive technology, you can draw lines of different thicknesses through different pressure levels. Package includes 4 pack lcd writing tablet (Blue, Light blue, Green and Pink), free children's imagination and creativity.
• 8.5 Inch Colorful Lcd writing Tablet: TQU kids LCD doodle board is a creative education and learning toy, perfect support for drawing, writing, spelling, math, remark, and notes which can let your kids freely release their natural instincts. With erase button on the front and lock switch. You can draw and erase easily by pressing the button on the front of the board. The pen fits snug on top of tablet and it will not come loose.
• Easy to use and Durable: The LCD writing tablet for kids is easy to use, just use the stylus to write, draw, scribble, doodle anything you want. Press the erase button to clear the screen in one second. Or press the lock key to save the screen contents. Our magic reusable drawing tablet is built in a button battery.
• Safe & Portable Toddler Travel Toys: Great for quiet, take-along entertainment. It’s an easy way to color on the go without lugging a bunch of stuff in the car or to a restaurant or church.
• Perfect Gift Idea: The multi-functional LCD writing tablet is a great gift choice for kids. It can be an educational toy for preschoolers. A perfect parent-pick gift for 3 4 5 6 7 8 year old girls and boys on back to school, homeschool, birthday, Easter, Children's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas and any occasion.

$9.99

Buy on Amazon

An Adobe account and cloud-oriented workflow may be a benefit if you already use Photoshop or Illustrator, but a drawback if you want open-source software, Linux support or no account dependency.

Choose it if: Adobe interoperability and natural-media brushes are more important than open-source licensing.

Skip it if: You want a fully free, offline-first replacement for Krita.

Check Adobe Fresco’s current terms and platforms.

7. FireAlpaca — best for a lightweight desktop drawing workflow

Best for: Simple illustration and manga work on Windows or macOS.

FireAlpaca is a desktop-focused drawing program commonly suited to artists who want fewer distractions than a full professional suite. It can be a sensible choice for straightforward sketches, line art and manga-style projects.

It is not a strong option for mobile continuity, Linux, advanced color management, extensive animation or a large plugin ecosystem. Verify current operating-system support and the latest release on the official site before installing.

Visit FireAlpaca’s official website.

8. MyPaint — best for minimalist freehand painting

Best for: Artists who want a simple canvas and brush-focused experience, especially on Linux.

MyPaint is a free and open-source minimalist painting application. Its smaller feature set can be an advantage when you want to concentrate on strokes rather than panels, layout tools or complex image editing.

It is less suitable for comics with elaborate page layouts, photo manipulation, animation or workflows requiring broad mobile support. Current platform builds and release status should be confirmed from the official project page.

Visit MyPaint’s official website.

9. Inkscape — best for vector drawing

Best for: Logos, icons, diagrams, lettering, technical illustration and scalable line art.

Inkscape is not a natural-media painting replacement. It creates vector artwork made from mathematically defined paths and shapes, so designs can scale without becoming pixelated. It is the right choice when you need editable nodes, SVG output, precise geometry or typography.

Use Krita, GIMP or another raster application for textured painting and pixel-based brushwork. Inkscape is primarily a desktop tool, not a mobile drawing solution.

Best Value

Sale

XPPen Artist 13.3 Pro V2 Drawing Tablet with Screen, 16K, Full-Laminated

• PLEASE NOTE：XPPen Artist13.3 Pro drawing tablet Need to connect with computer,you need to use it with your computer or laptop, the 3 in 1 cable is included
• Drawing Tablet with Screen: Tilt Function- XPPen Artist 13.3 Pro supports up to 60 degrees of tilt function, so now you don't need to adjust the brush direction in the software again and again. Simply tilt to add shading to your creation and enjoy smoother and more natural transitions between lines and strokes
• Graphics Tablets: High Color Gamut- The 13.3 inch fully-laminated FHD Display pairs a superb color accuracy of 88% NTSC (Adobe RGB≧91%，sRGB≧123%) with a 178-degree viewing angle and delivers rich colors, vivid images, and dazzling details in a wider view. Your creative world is now as powerful as it is colorful
• Drawing Pad: One is enough- The sleek Red Dial on the display is expertly designed with creators in mind, its strategic placement allows for natural drawing postures. With just one wheel, you can effortlessly zoom in and out, adjust brush sizes, and flip the canvas—all tailored to suit the habits of everyday artists. The 8 customizable shortcut keys allow you to personalize your setup, streamlining your workflow and enhancing creative efficiency
• Universal Compatibility & Software Support：supports Windows 7 (or later), Mac OS X 10.10 (or later), Chrome OS 88 (or later), and Linux systems. Fully compatible with major creative software including Photoshop, Illustrator, SAI, and Blender 3D. Register your device to access additional programs like ArtRage 5 and openCanvas for expanded creative possibilities.

$190.62

Buy on Amazon

Download Inkscape from its official site.

10. Concepts — best for infinite-canvas sketching

Best for: Ideation, diagrams, product concepts, architecture, notes and technical sketches.

Concepts uses an infinite-canvas approach that suits stylus-equipped tablets and exploratory drawing. It is different from a conventional full-featured raster painting package: the canvas and precision-sketching workflow are the attraction.

The free tier includes paid tools or features, so check the current limits before choosing it for a long-term project. It is available across iOS/iPadOS, Android and Windows according to current coverage; Linux and other platform support should not be assumed.

Check Concepts’ current platform and free-tier details.

Raster, vector or both?

Raster apps paint pixels. They are best for textured brushes, digital painting, comics, concept art and photo-based work. Krita, ibisPaint, Sketchbook and GIMP are primarily raster-oriented.

Vector apps create scalable paths and shapes. They are best for logos, icons, diagrams, lettering and clean line art. Inkscape is the clearest vector choice in this list.

Hybrid workflows use both: for example, draw a textured illustration in Krita, then create a scalable logo or lettering element in Inkscape. Exporting between apps may flatten layers or change effects, so keep the original project file.

Stylus and drawing-tablet compatibility

• Windows: Pressure may depend on Windows Ink, the app’s input setting and the tablet manufacturer’s driver. If pressure does not work, update the tablet driver and test Windows Ink on or off as the app requires.
• macOS: Confirm that the tablet driver supports your Intel or Apple Silicon Mac and current macOS release.
• iPad: Apple Pencil support depends on the iPad model, Pencil generation and app edition.
• Android: S Pen support does not mean every Android stylus or external USB drawing tablet will work. Sketchbook explicitly excludes peripheral drawing tablets on Android.
• Pen displays: A desktop application can usually use a Wacom, Huion or XP-Pen display through its desktop driver, but mobile editions may not support external tablets.

Always verify the exact app, device, operating-system version and stylus combination. “Android support” is not a universal stylus guarantee.

Moving projects between PC and mobile

There are three different levels of portability:

1. Flattened export: PNG or JPEG preserves appearance but not editable layers.
2. Interchange format: PSD or SVG may preserve some layers or paths, but effects, masks, text and blend modes can change between programs.
3. Native project plus sync: The best option for continuing work, but it may require an account, cloud storage or the same app family on both devices.

ibisPaint officially supports artwork synchronization between Windows/Mac and iOS/Android through cloud storage, with different storage allowances for ordinary and premium users. MediBang also offers service-dependent cross-device features, but platform capabilities should be checked individually. For Krita, GIMP and other desktop-first tools, exporting a layered or interchange file is often more reliable than assuming a mobile equivalent exists.

Hardware expectations

A program can install successfully and still perform poorly on a large canvas. Performance depends on RAM, graphics support, canvas dimensions, layer count, brush complexity, animation frames and storage speed.

• Krita lists 4 GB RAM as a minimum and 16 GB as recommended on one current download page.
• Sketchbook’s current Windows requirements list 8 GB RAM, a 2.5 GHz-or-faster processor, OpenGL 2.0 and Windows 10/11.
• MediBang lists 2 GB as recommended for its listed desktop configuration, while larger layered projects naturally need more.

These are vendor-published requirements, not guarantees of smooth performance. A modern SSD, adequate RAM and a pressure-sensitive tablet matter more for large illustration files than simply choosing an app that has a low installation requirement.

Which app should you choose?

• Choose Krita for serious painting on Windows, macOS, Linux or an Android tablet.
• Choose Sketchbook for a clean interface and quick beginner-friendly sketching.
• Choose ibisPaint X for mobile illustration, manga tools and a large brush/material library.
• Choose MediBang Paint for comics, screentones and manga-oriented materials.
• Choose GIMP when photo editing, compositing and drawing need to coexist.
• Choose Inkscape when the artwork must remain scalable vector art.
• Choose FireAlpaca or MyPaint when you want a simpler desktop painting experience.
• Choose Adobe Fresco when natural-media brushes and Adobe integration outweigh account or freemium restrictions.
• Choose Concepts for infinite-canvas planning, diagrams and technical ideation.

Bottom line

For most computer-based illustrators, Krita is the best free overall choice. For mobile drawing, start with ibisPaint X or Sketchbook. Comic artists should try MediBang Paint, photo-focused users should choose GIMP, and vector artists should use Inkscape. Before committing, check the exact edition’s ads, cloud limits, paid tools, stylus support and project-export options.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1

Wacom Intuos Small, Wired Graphic Drawing Tablet with Pen + Software

$39.95

SaleBestseller No. 2

XPPen Deco 01 V3 10x6 Drawing Tablet, 16K Battery-Free Stylus, 8 Keys

$45.00

SaleBestseller No. 3

HUION Inspiroy H640P 6x4 inch Drawing Tablet 8192 Pen Pressure

$27.99

Bestseller No. 4

4 Pack LCD Writing Tablet for Kids, 8.5 Inch Colorful Doodle Board Drawing Tablet, Educational Learning Toys Birthday Gifts for Boys Girls Age 3 4 5 6 7 8

$9.99

SaleBestseller No. 5

XPPen Artist 13.3 Pro V2 Drawing Tablet with Screen, 16K, Full-Laminated

$190.62

ThatPainter Team

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.